You can add the names of some more local players who did District 69 proud at the BC Taekwondo Championships.
In the mix alongside 15 other clubs at the provincials, played out at Capilnao University in North Vancouver March 31, and making their tournament debut, was a fired up group of 19 rookie students from Errington Taekwondo School.
Everyone who participated came home with a medal, and ETS owner and head instructor Revelina Lukashuk said she hopes the participants use this experience as a learning curve.
“These tournaments are meant to not only show what we have learned but to take in experience to further our skill,” she said, adding, “everyone fought very hard for their medals.”
Pint-sized firecracker Nicky Bolger, 10, earned silver medals in both forms and sparring.
Also earning medals were Oscar Sargent (silver in forms, gold in sparring); Teagan Poland (silver and bronze); Grace Fleming (bronze and silver); Isabel Molina-Ware (double gold); Farleigh Pickering (silver and gold); Avi Franklin (double bronze), Amelia Kellow (silver and bronze); Kabrin Molina-Ware (gold and bronze), Braedon Osmond (gold in sparring); Daniel Fleming (silver and bronze); Aslan Doan (double gold); Alexandria Manchester (gold and bronze); Corbin Orcutt (double bronze); Libby Elliot (bronze and gold); Lily Fanyeck (gold and bronze); Rudy Hiersemann, Leelee Mongeau and Liam Manchester (bronze and gold); Beau Mongeau (gold and silver), and Alison Amendt (bronze and silver).
A third degree black belt, Lukashuk, 50, has been involved in taekwondo for over 10 years teaching and competing. She opened Errington Taekwondo School in May of 2010.
“I totally love it,” she said when The News caught up her, adding this was the first time members of her club have attended the provincials — she took 19 students in all, “all rookies,” ranging in age from seven to 40-something.
“I am really proud of all the kids. Its good for the community, and we’re hoping we’re going to kick butt in the next tournament,” said the dedicated Errington master, referring to the Island Taekwondo Championships slated for Parksville Curling Club on May 26.
At the provincials, all the students participated in both sparring and forms and they combined for a total of 35 medals. All of them put in a lot of time and effort in preparation, and most of the kids that won double gold, she said, train three to four times a week for two hours a pop.
“Definitely it’s paid off for them, and the training is fun ... its not just taekwondo,” said Lukashuk, adding,“we’re also teaching kids commitment, about learning skills from each other, about respecting each other.”
For more information check out www.erringtontaekwondo.com.